After buying a 50 lb bag of Play Sand I have started sifting it into three different sizes fine, medium, and course using two different size screens. I will try using the fine on the mainline tracks, the medium in yards and the course on my fill areas at the ends of the gate-bridge.
I have recently gotten active in trying to finish the gate-bridge at the open end of the layout. I had to learn how to cut and shape foam and how to secure ballast on the sides of the fill area on both sides of the bridge. This involved watching a lot of YouTube and Model Railroad Video Plus documents. After a lot of introspection I think I am ready.
As a diversion while the paint dries on the new gate at the entrance to the layout, I decided it was time to catalog my storage boxes of acquired rolling stock. This does not include all my engines or passenger cars. I’m finding the process very educational as I did not realize how many duplicates or modern cars I had acquired in the last few years. Since my Pacific Cascade Railway operates in pre-BN merger 1969/1970, anything newer than March 1970 has to go. This includes several newer, beautiful cars I mistakenly acquired. I have two more totes like the one on the left to go. I will have enough car kits to keep me busy for years to come.
The plywood for the bridge is cut and fitted. Now to glue the plywood pieces together and paint everything. I’m thinking about making a rock berm from both sides up to the bridge, much like the berm on the BNSF tracks coming into Vancouver from the west. I will use foam sheets cut into a berm shape.